During his career as a professional basketball player, Tito Horford was recognized as a great defender of the rim, a specialist in the delivery of blocks due to his tall stature (7 feet, one inch) and his ability to jump.
Now based in Michigan, USA, the former member of the national team uses his time and energy to cover up crime and put up screens so that young people can escape the closed defense of social evil.
“After I left the NBA, I started studying criminal justice and worked for the juvenile delinquency department in the state of Michigan. I am an employee of the Court, a kind of mentor for young people “, he says when he was interviewed by the sports editor of LISTÍN DIARIO during the digital meeting of Actualidad Deportiva.
Horford was the first Dominican player to see action in the NBA. He was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the second round (pick 39) in the 1988 talent draw. He had a brief experience that included another stop in the league in 1992 with the Washington Bullets.
“It’s a very difficult job, because we try to get young people out of gangs, get out on the streets, give them guidance and advice, help them with education and find jobs when they get out of prison,” he added.
He admits that his stature has helped him instill “respect, not fear,” among the young people he works with, who call him “Mr. Horford,” because sometimes things get difficult. One of his co-workers is Larry Johnson, the brother of the famous former native of that state, Magic Johnson.
“I think I have worked with hundreds of young people all these years (10). We have a school, they live there until they serve their sentence. After the age of 18, if it is a major crime, they are sent to prison, they have to go where the adults are “, he says.
Tito, who in addition to Spanish and English speaks and understands little Portuguese, has previously worked for refugee services with people from Kosovo, Cuba and other countries, as well as an interpreter for the state court.
However
Regarding the Oklahoma City Thunder’s decision not to use the services of his son Al in the NBA season, he expressed that it is a prerogative of the team and that he respects a policy of improving his chances for the next draft.
“They see that they will not qualify, they can get a better player in the project lottery and they want to see the development of the young people in their team. Trevor Ariza was paid while at home, and George Hill was replaced after he was injured, “Tito explained.
He said that Al accepted the situation in peace and quiet because he received professional treatment from the team.
Al, who has two more years and $ 53 million out of his 4-year, $ 109 million deal with the Philadelphia Sixers a few years ago, hopes to be transferred to a more competitive team in the summer.
“We had a good season in good health, but they have the right to do such things as what happened in the cases of Andre Drummond, Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge,” Tito recalled.
However, the latter players opted for a contract buying move to move from the Cavaliers to the Lakers (Drummond), Pistons (Griffin) and Spurs (Aldridge) to the Nets.
“Al is a competitor, he likes to be in action, but in this case he does not control. You just have to listen and do what you have to do. Stay alert, don’t lose focus and keep practicing, “Tito added.
The evolution of sport
Despite being selected in the second round, the Bucks secured a three-year, $ 700,000 contract, which was good money at the time.
“It was a nice experience. It was a more physical, midfield game. The game has evolved, today’s players are more versatile and up to 7 meters throw three. In my time it was stronger, we had to travel with commercial planes, not with private ones like now “, he said.